State House Democratic Minority Leadership

The Ohio House of Representatives Minority Leadership Team: The minority caucus is comprised of the party with the fewest members represented. Each session, members of the minority caucus select a slate of leaders, headed by the minority leader.

Minority Leader – Representative Fred Strahorn – District 39
The Minority Leader is elected by all members of the House to lead the party in the minority and is responsible for the development and implementation of the caucus agenda.

Fred Strahorn has served as a Senior Advisor for the Ohio Democratic Party for the last two years and has recently been elected to the Ohio House of Representatives again. He now represents the communities of Dayton and Jefferson Township.

Fred Strahorn was appointed to the Ohio Senate on March 31, 2009 to represent the 5th Senate District. He was appointed to complete the unexpired term of State Senator Tom Roberts, who accepted an appointment from Ohio Governor Ted Strickland. Senator Strahorn served in the Ohio Senate for two years.

Prior to the Senate appointment, he was serving as the vice-president of governmental affairs for the Ohio United Way. He signed on to the Ohio United Way at the beginning of 2009, after serving 8 years in the Ohio House of Representatives as a member from the Dayton, Ohio area.

Fred Strahorn ended his time in the House as the Minority Whip in the 127th General Assembly. He served four terms in the Ohio House of Representatives. He represented the communities of Trotwood, Harrison Township, parts of Huber Heights, Riverside and Dayton.

In late November 2010, Nick Celebrezze decided to announce that he would not be running for re-election for Parma City Council Ward Three, a seat that he has held for the past six (6) years. During his time on Council he worked tirelessly in improving the safety, infrastructure, and the quality of life not only in Ward Three but throughout the City of Parma.

Because Councilman Celebrezze was a former Cuyahoga County Adult Probation Officer and Assistant County Prosecutor he recognized the importance of keeping Parma’s streets safe for its citizens. Not only did he sponsor legislation that was critical in ensuring that Parma remained one of the “safest cities in the nation”, he also authored the legislation that made parents financially responsible for the criminal actions of their minor children. Additionally during his tenure on Council, the City was able to build two-state of the art fire stations that will serve its residents far into the future.

As Chairman of the Planning Committee, the improvements to the infrastructure of Parma was also a vital part of his accomplishments. He was proud to co-sponsor, along with council colleagues, a regional approach to solving the City’s long standing sewer problems by entering into a Partnership with the Cuyahoga County Sanitary Sewer Engineers. This ongoing project has already led to $3.7 million dollars of improvements throughout the City including two major sewer improvements in Ward Three. The importance of regional cooperation was also highlighted by the City of Parma’s recent partnership with Parma Heights in an effort to not only improve safety and service but to also save taxpayer dollars.

Minority Whip – Representative Nickie J. Antonio – District 13
The Minority Whip is elected by all members of the House and is responsible for monitoring legislation and securing votes for legislation on the floor. The term Whip originated in the Parliament of the United Kingdom and is derived from the ‘whipper-in’ at a fox hunt.

State Representative Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) is honored to be serving her second term in the Ohio House of Representatives. House District 13 includes the city of Lakewood in its entirety and parts of Cleveland’s West Side including the Detroit Shoreway (Gordon Square Arts District), the Stockyards, West Boulevard, Cuddell, the Village of Linndale, and a section of Ohio City neighborhoods. Representative Antonio is a civic minded public servant who is concerned with the quality of life of those around her and has been a social justice advocate working for human rights and equality for all people for more than two decades.

Antonio began her public policy service when she was elected to Lakewood City Council in 2005 and was re-elected in 2009. During her tenure on Lakewood City Council she chaired the Economic Development, Housing, and Human Services committees, served on the Public Works and Finance Committees and was the council representative for the Lakewood Hospital Board and Community Relations Boards. She brought successful strategies for economic development through proactive policies such as the first ever sidewalk dining legislation, the results of which can be seen today in the vibrant outdoor dining scene throughout the city. Ever concerned about environmental policy and practice, Antonio also shepherded through legislation to reduce toxic emissions through a reduced idling ordinance. Antonio also exercised leadership by developing opportunities for diversity appreciation and understanding and civic engagement through the Lakewood Community Relations Advisory Commission of which she was a founder and promoted citizen human rights by expanding protections in the existing municipal intimidation laws. She also championed the push to retain funding for senior programs and services.

Born and raised in Norwood, Rep. Brigid Kelly learned early on the importance of a strong community.

Brigid attended Saint Ursula Academy, earned an undergraduate degree from Xavier University, and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Cincinnati. As a former city council member in Norwood and current representative for men and women at the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW), Brigid wants to build on the experience she’s gained from both her professional and personal life to help improve the lives of everyday Ohioans.

For over a decade Brigid has been fighting for members of UFCW, their families, and our communities. She works on a daily basis for issues like good wages, affordable health care benefits, and safe places to work.

As state representative, Brigid Kelly is focused on ensuring that our children are receiving the best education by making investments in local schools, holding corporations accountable for taxpayer investments, and pursuing policies important to families, like paid sick and family leave.

Brigid believes it’s getting harder to support a family, not easier. That’s why she puts families first and politics last to build a better Ohio.

Sherrod BrownHey there! I’m excited to talk with everyone over the next hour about any questions, comments, or ideas you have. Franklin is also sitting here with me. I am sure he will happily answer a question, too.

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